For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering a diesel-powered version of the SLK that will be available for sale in Europe effective 13 September 2011.

The new SLK 250 CDI makes use of the automaker's 2.1-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 204 hp and a whopping 500Nm of peak torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission but a six-speed manual gearbox will be available in the second quarter of 2012. With the 7G transmission, the SLK 250 CDI can go from 0 to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 243 km/h. While the century sprint and top speed figures are close to the gasoline-powered SLK 250 BlueEfficiency, the diesel SLK is much more environmentally-friendly. According to Mercedes, the SLK 250 CDI returns a combined fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km while the SLK 250 BlueEfficiency is thirstier at 6.2 L/100 km.

The SLK 250 CDI also features a start/stop system as standard, and is available with the panoramic glass roof featuring Magic Sky Control that allows it to make transition from dark to transparent at the touch of a button. It is not clear if Mercedes has plans to make available the SLK 250 CDI to other parts of the world.

I have been a car fanatic since 1989, when my father was changing our family car then to a Toyota Corolla 1.6 GL fitted with a Twin Cam 16 valve engine that was carburetor-fed, a big deal back in those days. The automobile technology and industry fascinates me and I hope to broadcast these interesting developments to everyone out there through this blog.